Women make up more than half of the U.S. population, but by various measures, they still don’t have their fair share. More than 1 in 7 women (nearly 25.2 million) lived in poverty in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The median weekly wage for women nationally is $770, 81.8% of what men make.
March is Women’s History Month. When finding out where women have the most opportunity, you can look at key statistics in each state, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. You can look at earning potential, education and job opportunity. Here’s the best and worst states for women to work.
Want to learn more? Here’s how to lower the wage gap.
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Best states for women: Earnings
5. Rhode Island
Earnings ratio between women and men: 87.1%
4. Nebraska
Earnings ratio between women and men: 87.3%
3. Florida
Earnings ratio between women and men: 87.9%
2. Vermont
Earnings ratio between women and men: 88.9%
1. New Mexico
Earnings ratio between women and men: 90.9%
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Worst states for women: Earnings
5. South Carolina
Earnings ratio between women and men: 77.5%
4. Louisiana
Earnings ratio between women and men: 77.4%
3. Washington
Earnings ratio between women and men: 75.5%
2. Utah
Earnings ratio between women and men: 72.1%
1. Wyoming
Earnings ratio between women and men: 71.6%
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Best states for women: Education
5. Connecticut
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 37.4%
4. Colorado
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 37.5%
3. Maryland
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 38.1%
2. Massachusetts
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.3%
1. Washington, D.C.
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 53.5%
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Worst states for women: Education
5. Kentucky
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.7%
4. Nevada
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.2%
3. Mississippi
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.6%
2. Arkansas
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.7%
1. West Virginia
Percent of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.1%
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Best states for women: Entrepreneurship
5. Georgia
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 30.9%
4. Hawaii
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 31%
3. New Mexico
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 31.7%
2. Maryland
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 32.6%
1. Washington, D.C.
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 34.5%
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Worst states for women: Entrepreneurship
5. North Dakota
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 24.7%
4. Montana
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 24.6%
3. Arkansas
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 24.5%
2. Idaho
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 23.5%
1. South Dakota
Percent of businesses that women-owned: 22.1%
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So, where should women move?
Elyse Shaw, senior research associate at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, said determining which states are the best for women is difficult.
“It really depends on how old you are and where you are at in your life,” she said. “For mothers looking to move, look at what are the family-friendly policies in place there? Or for working women, does that state have anti-discrimination policies in place for companies?”
She said factors like cost of living versus what an average woman makes is a good indicator of how successful you can be in your job in your state.
“If you are looking for a place you can advance, you need to look into if women are underpaid or what the educational opportunities are,” she said. (If you believe you are underpaid, here’s what to do about it.)
“We are seeing more and more conversations about improving the quality of life for women.” she said. “I hope that continues.”
This article originally appeared on Policygenius and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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